Galveston (CLG 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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Parting - a Time of uiet Sadness Early in the year GALVESTON began making preparations for her Mediterranean Cruise, Larger amounts of supplies were brought aboard and a close inspection of all systems was made. As the departure date approached there was more and more Work to be done. Then, on Monday February 13th GALVESTON sailed out of San Diego's har- bor into the blue waters of the Pacific, thus beginning her first Mediterranean de- ployment, She left behind her a pier full of tear stained faces, which would not really smile again until she returned. One of the hardest words to say is goodbye A11 hands stood at quarters while their loved ones on the pier watched them slowly sail out to the open sea.

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BELL The crew enjoyed liberty in Panama City. The canvas was rigged for the first time in Rodman. The Panama Canal was Transited Early in the morning of 20 February, GALVESTON began to transit the Panama Canal. The trip was to take almost the en- tire day. A holiday-like atmosphere pre- vailed throughout the ship, as crewmembers left off from their daily routine and went topside to watch and take pictures. The weather was sunny and hot, and almost everyone acquired a sunburn in addition to the memories they carried away withthem. The Panama Canal represents the most gigantic piece of engineering of our time. There are six sets of locks in the Canal. They are built of massive concrete, and are one and one-fifth miles long, Ships are towed through the locks by powerful electric locomotives. The towing speed of the loco- motives is one and one-half miles per hour. , ' tlock. All were on deck as the ship entered the f1I'S